Farewell

Farewells are hard. Saying goodbye to someone that has been a part of your life for 35 years is not easy. However, even though today was incredibly sad, it was also good. It was good to see so many people come to support the family last evening and today. It was good to be together and hear stories and remember things about Dad that were so special to people. It was good to see the love that my children and the other grandchildren had for their grandfather. It was good to hear how he touched so many people in so many different ways. It was good to be able to release him to Jesus and know that he is in a better place

Last Friday, Dad sat on his chair humming. It was just mindless humming and he didn't even realize he was doing it. Nancy suggested that he hum an actual song. Suddenly Dad began to sing. He sang, "What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, and I look upon His face, the one who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land, what a day glorious day that will be!"

When he got to the phrase, "when He takes me by the hand..." he raised his hand up and reached out as though he was stretching it out to Jesus. It was a very emotional moment for Mom and Nancy and when they shared it with the rest of the family we knew that was the song that we will always associate with Dad. We had it written inside his Memorial Card and last evening after the viewing all the grandchildren and their spouses and some of the great grandchildren sang that song together. It was their farewell gift to a very special man.

Farewell Dad.